Questions & Answers

A  The vision is for Horkesley Park is to create a visitor attraction dedicated to “A Celebration of the English Countryside” through the themes of Agriculture & Food, Art & Culture and  Countryside &  Conservation.  The primary aim of Horkesley Park is to create a focus within a corner of the Essex landscape devoted to the many facets of the English Countryside – with particular emphasis on East Anglian “rural life”. Its perspective will be past, present and future. It will focus on factors which have influenced the appearance and character of the countryside in the past and which continue to touch the lives of people everywhere.

A  The concept is still the same – Horkesley Park “A Celebration of the English Countryside”.  However numerous refinements have been made to create this planning application, the most significant being amendments to the Main Building so it has a more sympathetic architectural form and roofline, and to include a wildflower roof as well as incorporating a range of sustainability measures, such as photovoltaic panels.  See What’s New for more information.

A  Once Horkesley Park is operational 226 jobs (155 FTE – Full time equivalent) will be created on the site itself.  It is estimated Horkesley Park will generate an additional 45 FTE jobs indirectly off site in the local area.  Furthermore Horkesley Park is expected to increase overnight stays and increased spending locally.

A Yes. There will be a variety of apprenticeships for a wide range of different interests; from heavy horses and bio-diversity to art and specialist gardening.

A  The main entrance of Horkesley Park is 4km (2.5 miles) north of Colchester town outskirts bordering the A12.  Please refer to the Location Map.

A  Yes.  From the very beginning Bunting & Sons and their team have listened to the views and opinions of very many local people and organisations. 

Bunting & Sons carried out a programme of formal Public Engagement and Consultation, in May 2007. A questionnaire/comment form was handed out to each person attending for them to complete with their views, thoughts and suggestions for the Horkesley Park proposals.  This feedback was then collated, analysed and summarised.  As a result of the feedback numerous refinements have been made to the proposals.  

Careful note has also been taken of the long-term visions and policies for the Stour Valley, Colchester and the surrounding area, with particular regard to sustainable growth. Generally, it is concluded that people would like to see tourism carefully managed to bring money into the area and to provide employment combined with recreational and educational opportunities.

A  A substantial area of land owned by Bunting & Sons in the Stour Valley near its glasshouse nursery site was once part of an estate which became known as Horkesley Park after 1517 (when a demesne park covering much of Nayland and the Horkesleys was partitioned). This name has been adopted for the Heritage and Conservation Centre.

A  Assuming planning permission is granted without too much delay in 2009, it is planned that Horkesley Park will open to the general public in 2011.

A  The whole site will normally be open to the general public every day from 10.00am - 6.00pm or a suitable time before dusk, whichever is later.  It will not be open on Christmas Day and will only open occasionally after normal closing times for special events, such as cultural functions.

A  Horkesley Park is proposed to be an all year round centre where people can enjoy the facilities regardless of the weather. It will not have the same degree of major peaks and troughs that occur at other visitor centres and venues which do not offer all weather facilities.   It is estimated that Horkesley Park will have 485,000 annual visitors, similar numbers to that of Colchester Zoo.

A  No. This is absolutely not true - Horkesley Park is definitely not a Theme Park, there will be no roller coasters or fun fair attractions.  The idea of a Theme Park is utterly ridiculous!  Horkesley Park does have a central “theme” – a celebration of the English countryside and living heritage.  Anybody looking for “White Knuckle” rides will be hugely disappointed! 

A  Yes. It is of great benefit to show support as it helps Colchester Borough Council to build up a balanced picture of public opinion. You can either write to or e-mail Colchester Borough Council to register your support.  See the support us section for full details of who to write to and where.

A  The English countryside looks as it does today because generations of farmers and owners have managed the land to earn a living over the centuries.  It is just as essential to bring investment into the land today as it ever was.  Indeed even more so if we are to successfully restore sustainable heritage farming in the area.

A  An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a statutory requirement that must be undertaken for certain types of development as part of an application for planning permission. 

Colchester Borough Council (CBC) confirmed that the application for the Horkesley Park would require an EIA.  A Scoping Opinion was approved by CBC, its statutory consultees and others, which set out the scope of the EIA, and the topics to be addressed plus other information requested in addition. The Assessments and studies were undertaken by consultants with expertise in the topic areas to be addressed by the EIA, and their findings and the examination of effects of the proposals have been brought together in an Environmental Statement.

Technical studies to advise on the nature and degree of impact, if any, have been prepared by Specialist Consultants in the following fields:

Landscape & visual assessment

Ecology

Hydrology, drainage, flood risk

Ground conditions and contamination

Tourism

Socio-economics

Traffic, transport & access

Air quality

Noise and vibration

Lighting

A  The Horkesley Park scheme has been subject to vigorous testing in terms of its environmental impact, its sustainability and its compatibility with Planning Policy. The summary of effects show across the board a raft of potential benefits with no significant adverse effect. 

A  Yes. Bunting & Sons has 13 Suffolk Punch Horses: 1 licensed stallion, 6 geldings, 2 fillies and 4 mares, 2 of which are in foal and due this spring.

A  The pure bred Suffolk Punch is a more endangered breed of animal than the Giant Panda, with only about 450 UK registered pure Suffolk Punches left in the world.

Whilst the future of the breed has looked uncertain in the past, the number of Suffolk Punches has gradually increased in recent years, due to the work being done by enthusiastic owners and breeders. However, securing their future will take many years and the efforts of all breeders are vital in increasing numbers and generating interest and awareness both of the breed and the work being done by the breeders themselves.

Every effort is therefore essential to ensure their survival.  Horkesley Park will be a substantial breeding centre to increase numbers of the breed and bring the cause much needed public attention.

A  Bunting & Sons is already working to conserve Suffolk Punch horses and has been for a number of years. It has never been suggested that Horkesley Park would exist entirely for the benefit of the Suffolk Punches, but it is a major part of the proposals. 

Bunting & Sons has been working closely with the Suffolk Horse Society (a registered charity which works in conjunction with all breeders to promote the breed) for many years and the number of Suffolk Punches in their ownership has increased over the last few years.  The Suffolk Punches are currently worked at various parts of the Bunting & Sons’ estate and they continue to be worked in the way they already do when Horkesley Park opens.  Horkesley Park will help promote the plight of the Suffolk horse by opening up a working Breeding Centre and allowing the public to view these animals up close, and get a greater understanding of how heavy horses were used in farming and why it is important to help conserve East Anglia’s only breed of heavy horse.

A  They will all be demolished to make way for the new development. Some of the demolished items and materials will be recyclable and Bunting & Sons will make every effort to recycle as much as possible.

A  The new buildings (the Main Building, the Suffolk Punch Breeding Centre and the Farm Barn) will have a total ground level footprint of 10,100 sqm (108,719 sqft).  This is less than half that of the 20,772 sqm (223,595 sqft) ground level footprint of the existing glasshouses, industrial type buildings and other structures on The Nursery Site.

A  The vision for the building was to create an architectural form that will be in sympathy with the local landscape with the idea that “landscape is experienced in memory” is embraced in the design approach, ensuring the buildings create an outstanding “sense of arrival” and “sense of place”.

The architectural aesthetic strikes a balance between traditional and modern.  The common theme between buildings is the honest use of natural materials applied with sensitive attention to detail.

Architectural continuity is achieved with the Main Building by the extensive use of brick faced and rendered façades (echoing The Chantry) with extensive indigenous planting creating green roofs and living walls, which are sympathetic to the surrounding environment.  The natural materials, traditional external colours and extensive planting will allow the building to blend into the surrounding wider rural landscape context.

The architectural principles of the proposed buildings with Horkesley Park intend to provide a memorable and beautiful group of sustainable buildings that will enhance the site and respond well to the function and ethos that underlies this exemplar regional centre.

A  The buildings have been sensitively designed to reduce visual impact.  Some buildings will be underground and will not be visible in the landscape.

The new buildings will be a beautiful group of sustainable buildings and improve the visual impact.  There will be an overall reduction in length of frontage to London Road.  The buildings will be set back from the road frontage and hedgerows will be retained to provide substantial and effective screening. 

The "footprint" of the buildings will be approximately half of the existing ones which will be demolished.   As the footprint will be approximately half that of the existing structures the overall impact will be reduced. 

The buildings are designed to leave minimal signature and impact, conform to modern environmental standards and to blend in to their surroundings.

A  The Main Building has been sensitively designed to reduce visual impact, refraining from steep roof pitches which would increase visual impact.  Clothed “living walls” will further enhance the sense of landscape.

The Main Building’s grey slate roof and rounded shape echo the architecture of The Chantry.

 The "footprint" of the buildings will be approximately half of the existing ones which will be demolished.   As the footprint will be approximately half that of the existing structures the overall impact will be reduced.  

A  Yes. Horkesley Park will be an example of good practice.  Horkesley Park’s sustainability proposals reflect a holistic design approach including renewable energy integration, natural day lighting, passive ventilation, selective thermal mass and sustainable locally sourced building materials.

The proposals include:

• High thermal performance energy saving glazing;

• Wildflower planted roofs and walls;

• A biomass burner located in a Renewable Energy Centre to provide heating in conjunction with ground source heat pumps hidden in the landscape;

• Sustainable urban drainages system, rainwater harvesting and grey water systems;

• Photovoltaic panels to create electricity integrated on the Main Building;

• Solar thermal panels to provide hot water; and

• Internal blinds to provide solar shading and thermal insulation and prevent light pollution.

A  The architecture does not conform to any particular school of design and refrains from any particular architectural trends or fashions. The buildings use a combination of materials with a robustness and timeless quality.

A  Animals within the site include badgers, bats, birds, hares, roe deer, stoat and water vole (suspected sighting only).  The proposals are considered to be of benefit to all of these species through new woodland and hedgerow planting, grassland creation and pond restoration.

A  Apart from the loss of some of the poplars, no vegetation is to be lost. There will be additional native tree and shrub planting and so it is anticipated that there will be a benefit for nesting birds from the increase in nesting sites. No vegetation clearance will be undertaken during the breeding bird season. Ground-nesting birds will benefit from the conversion of arable land to pasture/grassland.

A  All ponds will be retained within the proposals. The two large ponds on the western perimeter of the site are used for fishing and this use will continue.  No great crested newts were found to be present during the surveys. 

The ponds within Rectory Grove and to the east of The Chantry are almost dry and have been for many years.  They will be restored as ponds to develop a natural wetland habitat supporting amphibians, invertebrates and wetland plants. A new balancing pond will be created.

A  It will be a catalyst for sustainable regeneration of the surrounding countryside by positively addressing the key elements of conservation, heritage and culture. The redevelopment will be at the heart of a network of economic linkages to other rural enterprises, sites and activities, and will bring additional trade to the local economy.

A  No. All of the land of the Horkesley Park site is owned by Bunting & Sons currently and the vast majority will remain as open countryside. The only buildings to be built on existing farmland is The Warren, which is underground and will not be visible in the landscape.  All of the other buildings are replacing those on the Nursery site and are approximately half the size of the current footprint of buildings.

A  The Horkesley Park site straddles the boundary of the AONB.  The AONB was designated in 1970, after the existing glasshouse nursery was built, and these buildings were excluded from the designated area.  The majority of the new buildings will be on the existing Nursery site and therefore outside of the AONB.  The only building that will lie in the AONB will be The Warren (nature watch) and this will be underground and will not be visible in the landscape.

All of the buildings are designed to be inconspicuous in wider views and blend into the landscape.

About three quarters of the Horkesley Park Site is located within the Dedham Vale area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).  The rest of the Horkesley Park Site lying outside the AONB includes the whole of The Nursery Site (“The Core Development Area”).  The section of the site that lies within the designated landscape will be principally a large country park in keeping with the character of the wider rural landscape of the surrounding AONB.  The only new building that lies within this area comprises The Warren (a nature watch), which is located underground.

A  Yes. Whilst it is true that Constable Country is not a precise area, Horkesley Park lies within the southern perimeter of the Stour Valley, and John Constable had many connections with the Horkesley and Nayland areas.

A  Horkesley Park has been designed to have the minimal possible impact.  Noise and light levels will be kept under close control and by having ticketed entry controls, Horkesley Park will be able to guard against overcrowding. Providing a rural amenity of this nature and access to the countryside to all, will give the community of Colchester a real boost. 

A  No. Bunting & Sons firmly believes that the views to the site will be enhanced.   The new buildings will be much less prominent than the existing glasshouses. The roof form and colour will be inconspicuous in wider views in contrast to the existing expanse of reflective glass.  In addition, the extensive planting of new woodland, trees and hedges across the site will integrate the site and its proposed features into the landscape and intercept wider views as the planting matures.   The overall visual impact of the proposed development will therefore be very limited. 

A  There are currently two public footpaths that cross the site, and these will remain open and free to anyone who wants to use them once the Horkesley Park site is operational.  Currently, landowners, farmers and others are required by law to have Public Footpaths which cross their property at a minimum width of 1.2 metres (4 feet) and Public Footpaths along headlands at a minimum width of 1.5 metres (5 feet). The Public Footpaths crossing the Horkesley Park site will be incorporated into 6 metres (20 feet) wide Green Lanes, five times wider than the law currently requires for Public Footpaths..   

A  All existing trees (apart from a line of poplars) and woodland will be retained. Woodland will be enhanced through further planting of native woodland species.

Some of the Lombardy Poplars will be lost. However, they have been surveyed and assessed for their bat roosting potential and they have little or no potential to shelter roosting bats due to the lack of features such as cracks and crevices, dense ivy, and woodpecker holes. Loss of the trees will be mitigated by further native planting. Lombardy Poplar is not a native species.

The plans for Horkesley Park include the planting of about 50,000 new trees, shrubs and hedging plants across the site.  

These will all be indigenous species appropriate to the local area.  Wherever possible, locally sourced plant material will be used.  In addition to large areas of new woodland and copses within the country park area, extensive tree planting will be established in the vicinity of the new buildings and also within the car park areas.

A  RPS Group have stated in their Transport Assessment: “Due to the leisure nature of Horkesley Park it is considered that the combination of background and visitor traffic flows during the Friday PM, Saturday and Sunday peak hours will represent the worst case scenarios. Consideration has, therefore, been given to these peak period traffic conditions and, in particular, to those during summer (August), which is traditionally the peak trading season for this type of attraction.  The proposed year of opening for Horkesley Park is 2011.  Therefore, the baseline transport assessment considers these time periods in detail.

It is expected that at least 90% of Horkesley Park visitor traffic will be focused on the strategic highway network of which the A134 forms part immediately adjacent to the proposals.  Horkesley Park traffic increases in sensitive locations are expected to be extremely low and not create any measurable impacts or delays.

The Transport Assessment concludes that the development proposal will generate modest levels of traffic and the highway network has sufficient capacity available to facilitate the Horkesley Park proposals.

The overall assessment of effects during both the construction and operational phases is considered to be of a local nature and minor adverse.”

A  Yes. The Horkesley Park site lies close to the existing public transport corridor along the A134.  Existing bus operators who provide services along the A134 will be encouraged to upgrade their services to provide a higher frequency service during the operational hours of Horkesley Park.

In addition to this the Horkesley Park Travel Plan includes many “green” initiatives

• A branded “Horkesley Park” bus will complement the public services
• Hopper bus
• Car sharing schemes
• Provision for cyclists and pedestrians including lockers and showers

and much more…

A  Yes. A new cycleway access from the A134 to the site is also proposed, together with secure on-site cycle parking, lockers and showers.  Horkesley Park aims to improve cycling facilities and links within a 5 kilometre (3.1 mile) radius – equivalent to about a 25 minute cycling time.

A  Yes. Colchester has strong objectives to become a leading cultural centre with which Horkesley Park is entirely compatible. It is envisaged that Horkesley Park will complement other visitor attractions in the area and help relieve pressure on 'honeypots' such as Dedham and East Bergholt.

A  No. Horkesley Park is a large Country Park visitor attraction dedicated to “A Celebration of the English Countryside” focusing on Agriculture & Food, Art & Culture and Countryside & Conservation.  While the retail and catering elements are components that will enhance the visitor experience and provide important revenue streams to help fund the attractor elements, they only constitute a tiny percentage of Horkesley Park’s site area.

No elements of the scheme involve retailing in the traditional sense.  The only ‘retail related’ uses are the specialist garden centre and parts of the food experience and only visitors paying an entrance fee will have access to these attractions.  The vast majority of the “attractions” have no retail connection at all.

Horkesley Park is going to be what is proposed: a diverse heritage and conservation centre with beautiful gardens, parkland and a large country park. Income derived from ticket admissions and appropriate merchandising on site are to be carefully balanced to ensure Horkesley Park is sustainable.

A  Yes. Bunting & Sons' figures have been subjected to vigorous scrutiny by leading tourism experts, economists and other specialists and the financial projections show that Horkesley Park will be viable and sustainable for the long term.

A  The total cost to build and fit-out Horkesley Park is estimated to be approximately £24 million. This is in addition to the land and other property already acquired and it is intended that it will be funded privately.